While pursuing a news story about missing women from Earth, reporter Daria Zane stumbles across a situation that could get her killed. Pursued by the men and the aliens who've been abducting the women and releasing a new drug, ZL3, on the streets of Earth there's only one place she can hide—Zarronia. If she can make it to Ambassador Eirikson she just might have a chance to live.
Thorn Valanson has spent several months on Earth handling warrior business for his father. He's also managed to avoid the tempting but liberated Earth females. Bonding with one of them is the last thing on his mind. In fact, his personal history has given him a distrust of females and a hatred of spies, especially female spies. When he captures Daria on his starship he knows there's only one reason she's there—to spy on his people and discover their most closely guarded secrets.
Daria can't be sure Thorn isn't part of the corruption so she can't tell him the truth. Thorn knows she's lying and that raises his suspicions. What happens when a warrior with a mating fever meets a female he lusts after but can't trust? It's a long journey to Zarronia.
Mardi Maxwell was born with the gift of gab in a quiet family. Desperate for companionship she developed a rich fantasy life filled with characters from interesting places like outer space, the future, and Texas. This eventually led to an addiction to books. When she grew up and her imaginary friends refused to go away she did what any sensible adult would do. She writes about them.
Mardi writes science fiction romance (Zarronian Warriors series, and Wynter’s Warrior), science fiction combined with time travel (Stone).
She studied English and Creative Writing, and has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. You can keep up with her here, or on Bookbub, Amazon, and her author website.
The book sounded like a bit of space romance, it had way more sex than I imagined, but I have no problems skipping a bit of erotic sex, and focusing on the storyline, and their was plenty of storyline.
What I did have a problem with was the relationship between the two main characters. He raped her repeatedly over a period of several months. He tortured her, mentally and verbally tormented her. He treated her like absolute shit, all while raping her - on the grounds that some blue mist meant that he had no choice.
I couldn't believe what I was reading. In the second half of the book she met the entire family, her personality really shone, but he still continued to treat her like shit (still raping her, still the verbal abuse and absolute control). When she made a suggestion about the decoration of the house, every single thing she asked for was denied. It was his way or the highway.
Every night he would torture her, abuse her and then rape her - every night she would deny him, tell him to go away, and then eventually given in (turned on by his almighty cock and their chemical bond), and after the act he would verbally abuse her again.
To my mind that is rape... I am reading the reviews on this site and the consensus seems to be that he is a huge alpha male and "just a bit of a jerk because he had a rough time in his past".
WTF is wrong with people? I mean, I get that rape fantasies are a thing, and if some people want a fetish book I get it... but these reviewers didn't mention rape, they weren't appreciating that aspect, they saw it as a great romance... WTF??? Me tarzan, You jane, suck my cock before I knock the bejessus out of you.
Finally at the end he admits that he loves her, and says that he will allow her to punish him for a while.
Asshole.
This book should have had a huge fetish warning or something. It wasn't okay.
Rape fantasies are a strange phenomenon, though quite "logical" in a way. They are a tool for women to deal with and consider a violation of their basic personal freedoms without experiencing the act itself. They don't mean women want to be raped; they help us imagine a situation that looms over our heads pretty much every day and deal with it in a way that makes it palatable for us. That's why some rape fantasies involve happy endings. That's why some don't. They turn an experience in which we know we would be helpless into something we can manage; take over; win. They are closely linked to some of the behavior rape survivors experience, backed up by the need to regain control of their lives and bodies. A movie quote actually simplifies this whole paragraph into one sentence, "We say who, we say when, we say how much." That's the essence of a rape fantasy constructed for women.
Logically, I know this is exactly what Thorn's Bondmate is. A rape fantasy. I don't like it but others obviously do. There are rape fantasies I liked but I couldn't tell you, in most cases, why I liked those and not this one. But I can tell you why I'm not willing to tag this with even two stars. There is no redeeming quality in the fantasy. No effort to make us see how this isn't just Stockholm syndrome at its worst. But, more importantly if I want to maintain some objectivity, the storybuilding is what sinks this ship. There is not one element that gives the story credibility. Not one line to show us the whys and hows. I don't want a treatise. I want to see the reason why, the process how.
One of the fantasies I read and enjoyed a little more was Ral's Woman. In essence, it's the same premise. Woman and man are brought together over captivity and rape. The difference is that it had the why and how. Flimsy but it did. Thorn's Bondmate lacks that link; the biological drive is just not sufficient. It's full of malice and rape used as a tool of intentional humiliation, and even the female protagonist's decision not to give in does not redeem the story.
That said, if a story like this is what you're after, go ahead and give it a shot. It may be something that's right up your alley but it definitely does not do it for me.
I didn't even get to the forced sex and I was irritated with the writing. The beginning is rushed and loses out on the whys and wheres. There was more than one eye roll--heroine has violet eyes, men react to her low husky voice, etc. Some ideas were just plain lazy--stinkgoat: a stinky goat-like creature. Yes that is actually in the book under the glossary.
I did read the first book and wasn't happy with how the mating fever was handled. I've read other books with a similar plot lines. I realize it is an alien culture with different biology but it still is not for me even if there is a happy ending.
Boring, so much telling, repetitious conversations, same topic over and over and a significant amount of coercion by both of them. They were both dishonest, manipulative and unlikeable. But for me the trigger was the alliteration - Daria, Dev and Dane! Please, we have lots of letters in the alphabet, use them.
I have come to expect nothing more than a great read from Ms. Maxwell's books, and this was no exception.
Years have past and Thorn one of Valen and Lia's twin sons! He has been sent on a mission to Earth to pick up women who may be compatible bondmates for the Zarronian warriors. Little does he know that a different alien race is negotiating with the greedy humans, but someone does. Daria, a reporter, has come across information that has human and aliens alike trying to kill her. She knows that the Zarronian high council will want to know and protect her. So, she stows away on Thorn's vessel.
From there, the fun begins! Cute twin boys, handsome Zarronian warriors, a little 'fever', a lot of hot sex .... Fans of fantasy romance will LOVE this book!
A SOLID 2.5 STARS. Had potential, and then it crashed and burned.
NOoooo THE MALE LEAD WAS TOO STUBBORN AND HIS REASON FOR NOT WANTING TO ACCEPT THE HEROINE AS HIS BONDMATE dragged down the rating and pissed me off big time. Started off good, but I couldn't stand the blockheaded THORN!
The ANGST was done all wrong!! The reconciliation was out of the blue, completely unbelievable and the MCs had more sex than proper communication. The pacing was sometimes choppy. You understand why I don't buy into their "love story"....it certainly didn't strike me as the Romeo and Juliet or Rose and Jack situation.
THORN was indecisive and cruel to play with Daria's feelings, and sometimes he was a petulant child. I couldn't tell if he truly liked her, or when he was feeling protective or jealous....those moments were very....vague. He gave PLENTY OF MIXED SIGNALS.
Such a shame! Though, I'm not put off to try reading about other characters of the series. I hope this would be the only story to let me down.
I love this series cause it has everything a good Sufi should. The steamier content is very well written also. I was very happy to see how well the Author incorporated characters from the previous book so well and didn't leave them out. Only thing that was slightly annoying was that the cover picture of Daria portrays a woman with a coco complecssion but in the story they imply she is fair complected. Minor detail I guess😁
This is the 2 nd book in the series and I think it's just as great as the first. There is a time advance on this one but it in know way spoils the writing, characters, and story line. Well done Miss Maxwell, well done.
This sequel to Valan's Bondmate moves the time frame forward 30 years and focuses on Thorn Valanson, the son of the first book's titular hero and his bondmate, Lia. One of my favorite things about Thorn's Bondmate is the all-out family fest in the second half. Nearly all of the main and secondary characters from the first book, or their children, are in the cast. Meddling oldsters Eirik and Borg are even funnier this time around. Everyone has aged and has new responsibilities. Baby Thorn, born in the epilogue of book one, is now a thirty-year-old hunk of a starship captain. Too bad he isn't nearly as adorable as his grandfather, father or twin brother.
Thorn is humorless and stern and the warrior you want fighting at your back. This time the Zarronian men are on Earth trying to find compatible bondmates in order to perpetuate their race. Through a twisty set of circumstances, Daria secretly finagles her way onto his ship. Aware there is a stowaway who is believed to be a spy, Thorn turns the place upside down. His mating fever is triggered by Daria and thus begins another push/pull romance that I am beginning to see is a pattern of Mardi Maxwell's Zarronian Warrior Series. Thorn has few redeeming qualities in his treatment of Daria, but in other personal interactions he is awkward but affectionate. So there is hope he can turn it around. Unfortunately, he takes the vast majority of the book to realize the treasure he has in Daria, and treats her horribly for much of it. Daria acknowledges she is attracted to "bad boys" so maybe that is part of the reason she puts up with Thorn. In some ways the mating fever is a curse because the women have so little freedom. When characters are roughly 26 and 30, you hope they are spending a little more time working with each other rather than against each other. Not these two. But for all that, Daria and Thorn didn't really seem immature, just guarded to the point of where they were harming someone they loved.
Daria starts out as an investigative journalist, but she loses some steam once she lands on Zarronia. Perhaps this is because there is little external conflict affecting her actions. This is vastly different from book one, where external forces were constantly pushing Valan and Lia to evaluate their regard for one another. Daria and Thorn don't seem to have that seminal point where you know WHY they love each other. The family drama took the place of action-adventure in this book.
There continue to be developments regarding the Zarronians' mating fever and their ongoing search for compatible females. I like that Maxwell has the situation evolve, especially after 30 years. She also writes an unpredictable story. As similar as the Zarronian male lead characters are (tough guys with zero understanding of women), she writes different female characters and different plot lines surrounding the mating fever circumstances. Thorn's story was not a carbon copy of Valan's, and I expect Soren's story might be even better.
Among the stars they fought a battle for dominance, equality and love and found something more than they expected a bond so intense it fused their souls together forever. In the second book of the Zarronian Warriors series by author extraordinaire Mardi Maxwell, we are transported into the future. In Thorn's Bondmate Daria, a journalist from Earth and Thorn, a fierce guardian of the galaxy collide. As the story unfolds we are captured by the intensity of their journey to a happily ever after ending.
Daria Zane is an accomplished reporter. She is caught up in a web of deceit and crime when she is contacted by one of her sources about missing women from Earth being sold into slavery. Daria knows the only person that she can trust is Ambassador Valan and she must somehow reach him with the information she has gathered. With that in mind she comes up with a plan on how to reach him on his home world. What she had not planned on was meeting Thorn!
Since Thorn's mate betrayed his trust, he doesn't allow anyone close enough to know him. He is suspicious of all females. He left his home when his twin sons were born and returns only when he must. He is the Commander of the Invisible, so when it is brought to his attention that there is a spy onboard his ship, he will stop at nothing to find the perpetrator and bring them to justice. When he captures Daria, he knows instantly that his life has been changed, but he still continues to fight to keep her at a distance.
I absolutely enjoyed every page of this science fiction romance. The author's imagination came alive with the detailed descriptions in the scenes she created. Her characters were multi-dimensional and continued to grow as the storyline progressed. I laughed at Eirik and Borg's humor and their continuous pranks on the oblivious warriors. Giggled at the precious twin boys, Dev and Dane, which helps soften the tough exterior of the warriors and bridged a gap between the hero and heroine. The love shared by Lia and Valan (the couple from book one) for their family, friends, and each other leaves the reader content and happy. Daria's tattoo is foreshadowing of things to come and stands out as a prophetic symbol.
There was so much more to this novel. The underlying emotion was love. Love for family, friends, and the galaxy where they live. Perfect addition to my growing library and I highly recommend you read this book.
I will admit, when I read the first book in this series I was way out of my league. I had never indulged in a book that took me into the galaxy and a different planets and lifestyles. It didn’t take Mardi Maxwell long though to hook me with such a fantastic story of angst, loss and love. There is a deep rooted history to this series, which she explains brilliantly in the beginning of each book so I highly advise you read this series in order so you can trace the family connections and dynamics with each characters story.
Thorn had been married before but his wife betrayed him and his people, leaving him with a set of twin boys to raise. His pain was so deep he left the boys with his parents and went on the adventure to explore another galaxy for a few years, trying to avoid facing the betrayal of his wife. While on Earth, they gathered women who had volunteered to go to his planet and mate with their men. It is explained why this had to be done in the history so I won’t spoil it for you here. The only thing Thorn is sure of is he will be alone, with two boys that remind him of his ex-wife and is promised a future of being alone.
Daria finally had her life set up with friends and a career as a reporter, there is no place in her world for a man. After gaining information about some missing women and a corrupt warrior from Zarronia, she knows that she must warn the leaders of that planet and hope they will help her stay alive. She sneaks into the ship that Thorn is in command of and hides, knowing if she can stay hidden till they are over half way to Zarronia, there is no way they can turn around and bring her back to Earth. Her two biggest helpers are Thorn’s twins as they claim they are now her warriors to protect her since they found her first.
The struggle between Thorn and Daria’s emotions and fears escalate when news arrives that will change their world on the new planet. Thorn’s family accepts Daria immediately and can see what is going on. What they do to help push things to conclusion will have you chuckling at times and wishing you were part of this community yourself. You are promised some hot scenes, love that will manifest itself in every relationship and the mystery between the two planets will keep you on the edge until Daria can find someone to trust this information with. I highly recommend this series but once again please read them in order so you can fully understand the brilliance of this story.
Years have past since the first book and this book is about Thorn one of Valen and Lia's twin sons! He has been sent on a mission to Earth to pick up women who may be compatible bondmates for the Zarronian warriors.
Reporter Daria Zane is a reporter Nd she stumbles across a situation that could get her killed. Some one is releasing a new drug, ZL3, onto the streets of Earth. Men are chasing here and one of her friends has already been shot. She has to get to Zarroniaand speak with the ambassador to find out what is going on and tell him what she knows. She must find a way to get to the ambassador. Her plan is to sneak aboard a ship and get to Zarronia.
Thorn Valanson is there on earth finding compatible females. He's Been scorned and betrayed by his mate. She was executed for her sins, she left behind Thorn's twin boys who now remind him of the shame his mate brought. He leaves them with his parents while he goes on missions in space for his people., When he captures Daria on his starship he thinks she is a spy to discover their most closely guarded secrets.
His past has left him very bitter towards females and those issues made him an awful father. Daria and Thorn accidentally mate and this book follows their journey to find love, forgiveness, and trust again. It was definitely hot, I enjoyed the characters and Daria strength against Thorn. He was a total dick through most of the book,but finally came to his senses. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for Soren story.
This one was way better than the first. There was better storyline. I wasn't frustrated with this one at all. I read few comments and the coupling mating fever in this one didn't really annoy me, I skipped a few of those, sure but it wasn't overdo. The reason I liked it more it was I saw a purpose in this book, there was also a background. A little thing disturbed me, or may be it was me since I could have miss something. Now that I'm thinking of it may be it was me with the love situation. He enjoyed her, could find and feel for her but not for the other part of hers. How quickly it was from there to the actual "love" anyway, it doesn't matter anymore since I finished it. The children in this book were so cute. I loved that duo of children not because they acted cute but moreover about the storyline.
So after this book, I'm for sure waiting for the next one whether for Soren or Ronin.
Note: As I read this book, I learned about the different levels, the situation, their technology, good warriors but I wanted to know about Lia and Valan's bestfriends since from the first book her friend was a bondmate but nothing more in their couple show more than friends. Did that change or was it because of the level?
A Mardi Maxwell series always guarantees strong personalities; overbearing, arrogant Alpha males who command rather than ask are a given, accompanied by women who must be prepared to stand their ground and fight for respect (or lose their identity along the way) to challenge their dominance.
This second instalment continues the theme of Zarronian Warriors searching the galaxy for compatible mates, but evolves to incorporate a trade agreement with Earth, deception, kidnapping, corrupt earthlings and an evil race with their own agenda.
I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction between the primary couple and the additional relationship between Daria and the Commander’s sons. Thorn, as to be expected, was a hardened, non-compliant, pompous ass, who required a lesson in human relations and being a father, while Daria was all sass and attitude, and not at all the unassuming female that a Zarronian male requires.
The flow and content is excellent throughout and the character portrayals are strong, emotional and realistic to the story. An easy read that leaves the reader satisfied at the end, but anxious for the next book in the series.
After reading the first of the series (and hating it) and then reading some of the reviews for this one I was kinda scared to start it. Valan was such a horrible guy & Lia was SUCH a doormat I was worried about what kind of guy their son would be. He wasn't as bad, TG.
Thorn is rather stern & distant, even to his boys, at the start. He cares but doesn't do a good job showing it. He believes Daria is a spy but the making fever is upon him she he treats her as his mistress on the ship. Even when it's proven she's not and they are mated he still doesn't trust her. LOTS (maybe too much) of 'No, I don't want to. The fever is making me' sex, which might be a trigger for some.
Daria did have a few dumb moments (being mad that Thorn didn't just automatically believe her when she told him she wasn't a spy) but was much stronger and not the doormat that the first book had.
I could have done without the repeated 'forced' bonding but unlike the first book this one didn't end with me hating the main characters. So that's a win in my book.
I just finished reading Thorn's Bondmate by Mardi Maxwell, the second book in her new Zarronian Warriors series and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Mardi has a real talent for SciFi romance. Her characters are fresh and interesting and the story kept me wanting to read it straight through. The hero of the story, Thorn, was betrayed and hurt by his first mate who was a traitor to their people and was executed right after the birth of his twin sons. He has deep trust issues regarding women. The heroine is an up and coming reporter from Earth, who happened to discover a plot involving important people that is illegal and harmful to both their planets. She sneaks onto the ship Thorn commands to hide from thugs hired to silence her. The ensuing story was engaging and well written. I'm looking forward very much to book 3 in the series. I highly recommend to anyone who loves sexy aliens and Earth women falling in love with them.
Thorn was scorned and betrayed by his mate. Executed for her sins, she left behind Thorn's twin boys who now remind him of the shame his mate brought. He leaves them behind for years with his parents while he goes on missions in space for his people.
On this particular mission he brings his twins aboard. Now it is time to go home, but what he doesn't know is he is bringing someone else home on his ship.
Daria is a reporter. When a tip of deception against Zarronia goes wrong, she needs to go to Zarronia and tell what she knows. When she sneaks aboard a ship, what she doesn't know is that she will get the scoop of a lifetime.
Entertaining story and a deeper look into this World created by the author. I love how we got to see the characters from the first book in a different light. HOw? You will have to read the book and find out.
I liked this one a little more than the first one. I also read this one first. The lead female annoyed me. She was so pissed that he didn't trust her, then she refused to give the information that proved her point and throw it in his face. But then she would go on to be pissed when he didn't believer her. I also did like that he suddenly, out of nowhere, decides he loves her and begins to shower her with affection and she doesn't question it. Also, Valan and Lia act completely different in this than in the first book. I understand it's years later, but Valan doesn't seem like an ass towards her in front of people like he did in his story. He actually shows her respect. At least the son wasn't as big of an ass in his story like his father. Also,Dance and Dev are adorable!
It's going on midnight and I was supposed to be sleeping with the busy day I have tomorrow but I'm telling you I just couldn't put it down until the end and now I'm going to see if book 3 in the series is available. It's just that GREAT OF A STORYLINE!! I'm SO RECOMMENDING THAT YOU HAVE THIS SERIES IN YOUR OWN PERSONAL LIBRARY...IT WILL KEEP YOU GLUED TO THE PAGES AND YOU'LL LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT TOO!! Characters that draws you into the story,drama,sassiness,alpha attitudes,suspense,and sizzling sensual scenes,no cliffhangers but plenty of room for expansion with supporting characters that deserves to get their own HEA ROMANCE.
Loved the sequel as much as the !st. Great world building and characters you have to love. It's great to see the 3 generations living and loving together. Daria was strong, but not over the top bitchy. She straightens Thorn's ass out. Big, sexy, alpha Thorn. His past has made him kind of a jerk, but with the love of a good woman, his sons and his nosy but loving family he heals. I can not wait for Sorin's story. I'd also like to see who wins the heart of the sexy Ronin. It isn't the prettiest love story but it is worth it.
I haven't read the first book in the series just jumped straight into this one, it didn't fail to please! A few grammatical errors but it didn't take away from the story. Really enjoyed seeing all the different relationships develop. The twins just sound adorable and love the banter between Thorn and Daria. Do feel that certain things towards the end felt a bit rushed. Eagerly anticipating Sorens story!!
I gave it a big resounding 5 stars. The author now has a me a fan. I read book 1 and loved it. This is the sequel about the son of the couple in the first book.......and wow it is even better. If you love alien abduction romance grab this book. It won't disappoint you......you will be hooked like me and waiting impatiently for the next book.
This was not a favorite for me. I did not like the relationship the characters had while on the ship and could never quite move past the 'forced' portion of the beginning.